Joseph, Pillowthread, and HRH nearly killed me today.

I'm going to let them write their own trip reports about our little weekend together. I'm just going to mention that by letting me lead on the trail this morning, they nearly caused my death.

I'm merrily hiking along...

Joseph: "Man you nearly stepped on those two snakes in the trail."

Pillowthread: "I'm not sure what kind of snakes those are. The colorings wrong, but see the arrow-shaped head."

I cautiously came back to see two copperheads mating in at the edge of the trail. I had missed stepping on them by mere inches.

Lower right corner, you can see their interconnected bodies. The bigger snake's head is towards the upper left corner.

Closeup on the head. The picture doesn't show the slitted eyes.

Look, I'm not going to say any of those guys are actually responsible, but if Joseph Renow hadn't been spending all his time lollygagging in the back of the line worrying about the flavor packets for his filtered water, then maybe I wouldn't have been NEARLY KILLED by not one, but two deadly vipers. Just saying....

It's a good thing you didn't step on them. Fortunately, most of the copperheads I've come across have been completely very chill if you're just walking by. Turn and mess with them and they tend to get a little testy, though. The one time I've come across a timber rattler he was a bit more forward in his display of displeasure at our presence, and started rattling while I was yet 10 or 15 feet away.

I agree Gonzan…I have seen countless copperheads while outdoors and have never had an issue with them…they appear to be a rather docile snake when not harassed.

For the record…I would not describe my breathlessly chasing of Goose and HRH for three days in the woods as lollygagging (lol). Goose and HRH were trail-running with backpacks and I was simply trying to keep-up. Next time I hike with them my gear list is going to be: 1) bivy 2) snickers 3) Aquamira and canteen 4) rain jacket 5) running shoes 6) lighter and small Victorinox pocket knife 7) clothing I am wearing 8) trekking poles. In all seriousness though…it was a great hike!

Here’s another picture of the snakes…it was the greyish color of the female and smaller size of the snakes generally that initially had me confused as to the species…but upon closer inspection the tails marked them as clearly copperhead.

I've only had one incident with Rattlers..I almost jumped onto one roock hopping in Texas..Scared the bejesus out of me..I almost jumped right into one sucking up some sun.He was behind a bush and I was mid air when I heard the rattle..Hit the rock and jumped back.That was the end of bushwacking for the day..

Are you guys kidding....the chance to lash out at GOOSe, or get all jiggy with lady snake.....c'MON! IF this were girls talking, I would get it but you are all BOIIIIS! BOIIIIS know that there is nearly NOTHING that will stop the aforementioned act in progress! So, goose, pull up your big girl pantaloones and don't go all game show on this! ;)

Are you guys kidding....the chance to lash out at GOOSe, or get all jiggy with lady snake.....c'MON! IF this were girls talking, I would get it but you are all BOIIIIS! BOIIIIS know that there is nearly NOTHING that will stop the aforementioned act in progress! So, goose, pull up your big girl pantaloones and don't go all game show on this! ;)